Spectral distribution and damping factors measurements of musical strings using FFT techniques

We present a new experimental technique of measuring the partial´ s amplitudes and decay times of musical strings, using a dual channel FFT analyser. Examining the results in terms of the internal losses of the strings shows that the dynamic stiffness is an important parameter for the temporal evolution of the spectral distribution. We relate these results to perceptual parameters and propose some important variables to control in musical sound.